Janet Jackson Joins Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige for Essence Fest

Janet Jackson will join Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige as a co-headliner for the annual Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, this summer. The festival, which runs during the 4th of July weekend, will feature performances from Estelle, LL Cool J, Monica, Ruben Studdard and Trey Songz, in addition to the headliners.

Essence Communications president Michelle Ebanks announced that this year's lineup was the perfect way to ring in Essence magazine's 40th anniversary. "This year's Essence Music Festival line-up is headed up by three of the most talented and powerful women in music today," Ebanks said. "With the return of both Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys and the first-ever performance from Janet Jackson, I can't think of a better way to celebrate Essence magazine's 40th anniversary."

Janet Jackson will wrap up the festivities on opening night. The songstress-turned-actress has a new role in Tyler Perry's upcoming film 'Why Did I Get Married Too?' She recently released her single, "Nothing" from the film's soundtrack, which was produced by her ex-boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri.

The Essence Music Festival will run from July 2-4 in the New Orleans Superdome.